Algarve
BUYING PROPERTY IN PORTUGAL
BUYING A PROPERTY - STEP BY STEP
Which ever house you want to acquire, you can trust our team of professionals, whom has the experience and will to provide all the help that you need during the process.
There are some steps you have to walk once you have made the decision to buy a house in Portugal:
1. Sign up a visit in our office
Talk to us. We can help you find the house of your dreams amongst our portfolio. However, if you prefer, we will build your house the way you wish, and in that special place you may choose for you.
2. Reservation
Make sure that the house you choose will be yours.
3. Appoint a legal representative
This is the person who will work on your behalf and take care of all the documents you need to buy the house. This legal representative will need a power of attorney (Procuração) to check the legal status of the house you wish to buy. Each property must have these documents:
- title deeds, in the Conservatória do Registo Predial;
- official tax documents, in Finanças;
- “habitation licence” (licença de habitação), in Câmara Municipal.
4. Fiscal representation
You will need a fiscal number from the portuguese Tax Office (Finanças), which will represent you in the country.
5. Promissory contract
In Portugal, this is called Contrato Promessa de Compra e Venda, and it will be drawn by your legal representative on your behalf. This document specifies all the terms and conditions of the trade – the exact location of the house, price, payment schedules, and any other specific conditions agreed by both parties. When this promissory contract is signed, 30% of the price agreed is paid to the seller.
6. Deed & Registration
The final deed is called Escritura Pública de Compra e Venda and is signed at the notary’s Office. The rest of the purchase price is paid to the seller, and the new owner can now register his property in the Conservatória do Registo Predial. Usually, it takes about 30 to 60 days between the promissory contract and the signature of the final deeds.
7. Notary and land registry fees, and Property Transfer Tax (IMT)
These are now responsibilities of the new owner – the registry fees cost around 2% of the purchase price, and the IMT can go up to a maximum of 6.5%.
